Urban Forest Coordinator

Job Summary

DEFINITION

Coordinates and monitors contract services for the maintenance of the City’s urban forest. Provides plan review services and site inspections.

SUPERVISION

Works under the general supervision of a supervisory or management employee who makes work assignments, occasionally reviews work in progress and periodically reviews completed work. Coordinates and oversees the work of contract employees and may exercise technical supervision and/or provide work direction to clerical support.

Representative Duties

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

Coordinates and oversees the City-wide urban forest maintenance services contract. Monitors and inspects the work of contract employees to ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, resolves discrepancies and deficiencies in completed work and submitted invoices

Specifies and coordinates the planting, removal and maintenance of trees located in City parks, streets, parkways, and other City-administered landscaped areas in accordance with current ANSI standards and the associated International Society of Arboriculture’s (ANSI) best management practices, as well as Santa Monica’s Urban Forest Master Plan.

Performs tree risk assessments and makes related recommendations, including mitigation pruning work and proposing the removal of trees.

Diagnoses and evaluates the health of trees and proposes recommendations to treat trees and plants with infestations, infections, or other issues.

Assesses and monitors safety hazards, damage, disease, pest infestation, and general maintenance needs. Schedules services requests from residents, business owners and other City departments for tree trimming, removal, and maintenance.

Reviews and comments on construction-related plans, drawings, calculations, and reports to ensure conformance with the tree preservation guidelines of the Public Landscape Division and the Urban Forest Master Plan.

Monitors all active construction projects impacting the urban forest and ensures adherence to the City’s tree preservation guidelines. Performs final inspections of construction projects to confirm that public trees have not been adversely impacted by the development.

Inspects sites to evaluate the potential construction impact that a project will have on existing City trees in relation to such qualities as species, size, current condition, and the impact it will have on their future health. Submits appropriate comments within allotted timeline into the City’s plan check system.

Performs tree valuations and makes recommendations on restitution plantings.

Responds to questions and concerns regarding the interpretation, requirements, terms and limitations of contract plans and specifications.

Participates in the development of contract specifications and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Reviews contract proposals, interviews bidders and checks references. Monitors contract progress pursuant to City policies and procedures.

Participates in maintaining the City’s urban forest inventory and database, including GIS mapping. Tracks, monitors, and produces reports on the inventory.

Conducts research and prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records, and correspondence.

Participates in the development and preparation of assigned project and contract service budgets. Prepares cost estimates for materials and labor and submit requisitions for equipment, materials, and supplies. Reviews invoices, monitors expenditures, and makes budget recommendations.

Serves as a liaison between City departments, contractors, and other customers regarding urban forest maintenance activities and related operations.

Responds to inquiries, complaints, and requests for information involving City trees from City staff, external agencies, business owners, residents, and the general public.

Assists in the technical updating of the Santa Monica’s Urban Forest Master Plan so it is current with industry best practices and climate appropriate species recommendations.

Presents to the Urban Forest Task Force on operations and current urban forestry matters, and provides technical advice and guidance to Task Force Members as required.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Principles, policies, and practices of arboriculture

Urban and community forest operations

Maintenance principles of turf and landscaped areas

Tree and pest identification, including tree and soil disease recognition and treatment and tree risk assessment

Contract preparation and administration

Construction related plans, drawings, calculations, and reports

Research and report writing techniques

Business English, spelling, punctuation, and grammar

Recordkeeping and scheduling methods

Applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations

Occupational hazards and safe work practices

Effective leading and coordinating techniques

Effective customer service techniques

Ability to:

Identify common tree species and perform tree risk assessments and tree health care inspections

Coordinate, monitor, and inspect the work of contractors

Schedule and prioritize projects and work assignments

Develop and enforce contract specifications and provisions related to urban forest management

Provide technical information and advice regarding trees and public landscapes

Conduct site inspections to evaluate the impact of planned projects on trees

Contribute to budget preparation and administration

Interpret and apply policies, laws, and regulations

Conduct research, analyze information, and make sound recommendations

Prepare and present clear and concise records and reports

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Interact effectively with tact and discretion with various customers

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with City employees, contractors, external agencies and the general public

Provide effective customer service

Meet the review timelines established by the City for plan submittals routed to the Public Landscape Division

Skill in:

Leading and coordinating the work of contractors

Using a computer, tablet, smartphone and applicable software applications

Working effectively with persons from diverse social, cultural and economic backgrounds

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree or 60 semester units or the quarter unit equivalent of college-level coursework in landscape architecture, landscape management, horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, environmental resource management, contract management, or a closely related field.

Experience: Four years of recent, paid work in the maintenance of an urban forest which included purchasing and/or contract management responsibilities. Additional recent, related work experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. (Successful completion of 30 semester units or the equivalent is equal to one year of the additional work experience.)

Licenses and Certificates:

Possession of a valid Class C driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Certification as a Certified Arborist by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA).

Possession of the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ)is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:
Applicants must submit a clear, concise, completed on-line City Application along with any required supplemental application materials with the Human Resources Department by the filing deadline. If you do not submit your on-line application by the filing deadline, you will not be considered for this position. Please note, applications may be rejected if incomplete. Resumes, CVs and cover letters are not reviewed as part of the application screening process.

If you would like for your education to be considered, you must attach a copy of your college level transcripts or diploma to your online application. Applicants who indicate receipt of college level coursework or degree from a foreign institution must provide United States credential equivalency verification along with a copy of your college diploma/transcripts. All materials must be received in the Human Resources Department no later than the filing deadline. Failure to do so may result in your application being evaluated without the education being considered.

Selection Process:

All applicants must submit clear, concise and complete information regarding your work history and qualifications for the position. All applicants will be reviewed and only those applicants determined to be most qualified on the basis of experience, training and education, as submitted, will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

Testing may consist of the following and is subject to change as needs dictate:

• Training & Experience Evaluation
• Oral Exam

If three or more qualified City employees apply and pass the examination, a promotional list will be established in addition to an open-competitive list. If fewer than three qualified City employees pass the examination, the appointing authority, in accordance with the City's civil service rules and regulations, can decline to use a promotional list, in which case a promotional list will not be established for this position.

Background Investigation:

Candidates who have successfully completed all prior phases of the selection process will be subject to a thorough background investigation.


Inclusion & Diversity Statement:

The City of Santa Monica is a progressive, inclusive and culturally rich community. As leaders in public service, we strive to be an employer of choice by attracting and retaining a highly talented workforce where people of diverse races, religions, cultures and lifestyles thrive. Our goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where our staff are empowered to perform at their highest level and where their differences make a positive impact.

The City is an equal opportunity employer and strives to build balanced teams from all walks of life without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state and/or local law. We aim to create a workplace that celebrates and embraces the diversity of our employees. Join us!

Special assistance with the application and examination process is available, upon request, for persons with disabilities. Call (310) 458-8246, TDD (310) 458-8696 (Hearing Impaired Only).

Please note the request for reasonable accommodations must be made to Human Resources at least three work days prior to the examination.

The City's liberal fringe benefits for full-time employment include sick leave, holiday and vacation pay, the Public Employees Retirement System, medical, dental and vision insurance, credit union, deferred compensation, tuition reimbursement, Dependent Care Assistance Plan and priority enrollment consideration at Hill & Dale Family Learning Center, Marine Park Child Development Center, and Santa Monica Early Childhood Lab School.

Closing Date/Time: 5/28/2026 5:30 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• City of Santa Monica

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